[Python-Dev] Better module shutdown procedure (original) (raw)

exarkun at twistedmatrix.com exarkun at twistedmatrix.com
Wed Oct 14 22:35:28 CEST 2009

On 08:16 pm, nas at arctrix.com wrote:

The current shutdown code in pythonrun.c zaps module globals by setting them to None (an attempt to break reference cycles). That causes problems since del methods can try to use the globals after they have been set to None.

The procedure implemented by http://bugs.python.org/issue812369 seems to be a better idea. References to modules are replaced by weak references and the GC is allowed to cleanup reference cycles. I would like to commit this change but I'm not sure if it is a good time in the development cycle or if anyone has objections to the idea. Please speak up if you have input.

I notice that the patch doesn't include any unit tests for the feature being provided (it does change test_sys.py - although I don't understand how that change is related to this feature). I hope that regardless of whatever else is decided, if the change is to be made, it will be accompanied by new unit tests verify its proper operation.

Jean-Paul

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